/azure-sql-managed-instance

name: azure-sql-managed-instance
description: Expert knowledge for Azure SQL Managed Instance development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. Use when configuring MI networking/VNet, backups & failover, Entra/Key Vault security, or Managed Instance link, and other Azure SQL Managed Instance related development tasks. Not for Azure SQL Database (use azure-sql-database), SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (use azure-sql-virtual-machines).
compatibility: Requires network access. Uses mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch or fetch_webpage to retrieve documentation.
metadata:
  generated_at: "2026-08-09"
  generator: "docs2skills/1.0.0"

Azure SQL Managed Instance Skill

This skill provides expert guidance for Azure SQL Managed Instance. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.

How to Use This Skill

> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: Use the **Category Index** below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., `L35-L120`), use `read_file` with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., `[security.md](security.md)`), use `read_file` on the linked reference file

> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: If `metadata.generated_at` is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If `mcp_microsoftdocs` tools are not available, suggest the user install it: [Installation Guide](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mcp/blob/main/README.md)

This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content:

• **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown.
• **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown.

Category Index

| Category | Lines | Description | |----------|-------|-------------| | Troubleshooting | L37-L57 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure SQL Managed Instance issues: deployment/scale errors, performance, connectivity, geo-replication, memory/log full, backups, XTP, Kerberos auth, and operation health. | | Best Practices | L58-L80 | Performance, HA/DR, and security best practices for Azure SQL Managed Instance, including monitoring, tuning queries, maintenance, alerts, geo-replication, failover, and migration guidance. | | Decision Making | L81-L95 | Guidance for choosing Azure SQL Managed Instance vs other Azure SQL options, selecting tiers and subnet sizes, and planning migrations from SQL Server, Oracle, and Db2. | | Architecture & Design Patterns | L96-L100 | Connectivity architecture, networking models, and connection options for Azure SQL Database, including gateways, endpoints, firewalls, and integration with VNets and private access. | | Limits & Quotas | L101-L111 | Backup immutability, DTU and free-tier limits, memory and In-memory OLTP caps, maintenance windows, operation durations, and resource quotas for Azure SQL Managed Instance. | | Security | L112-L166 | Configuring Azure SQL Managed Instance security: Entra auth, identities, TDE & Key Vault, TLS, auditing, threat protection, private endpoints, Windows/Kerberos auth, and secure configuration. | | Configuration | L167-L215 | Configuring and managing Azure SQL Managed Instance: deployment, networking, backups/restore, maintenance windows/updates, monitoring/alerts, auditing, failover groups, and modifiable settings. | | Integrations & Coding Patterns | L216-L238 | Client app connectivity, drivers, and code samples for multiple languages, plus automation, networking, DTC, XEvents, backups, and Managed Instance link/Agent usage on SQL Managed Instance. | | Deployment | L239-L254 | Deploying and managing Azure SQL Managed Instance and databases: scaling, start/stop, region/subnet moves, DR/replication setup, VNet configuration, and BACPAC import/export. |

Troubleshooting

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Resolve Azure SQL capacity deployment and scaling errors | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/capacity-errors-troubleshoot?view=azuresql | | Resolve common Azure SQL database watcher issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database-watcher-faq?view=azuresql | | Fix slow database import and export in Azure SQL | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/database-import-export-hang?view=azuresql | | Troubleshoot Azure SQL performance using Intelligent Insights | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/intelligent-insights-troubleshoot-performance?view=azuresql | | Troubleshoot transient connectivity errors for Azure SQL | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-common-connectivity-issues?view=azuresql | | Troubleshoot Azure SQL and Fabric SQL connectivity errors | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-common-errors-issues?view=azuresql | | Troubleshoot geo-replication and redo lag in Azure SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-geo-replication-redo?view=azuresql | | Investigate and fix memory issues in Azure SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-memory-errors-issues?view=azuresql | | Resolve transaction log full errors in Azure SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-transaction-log-errors-issues?view=azuresql-db | | Monitor Azure SQL Managed Instance backup activity | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/backup-activity-monitor?view=azuresql | | Resolve known issues in Azure SQL Managed Instance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/az